Saturday, March 29, 2025
In a major escalation against Venezuela, U.S. President Donald Trump has imposed fresh sanctions targeting President Nicolás Maduro’s inner circle. The U.S. Treasury Department has announced sanctions on three nephews of Venezuela’s First Lady Cilia Flores, along with six shipping companies linked to the country’s oil trade.
Blue flashes lighting up the night sky in rural Japan during the 7.6 Aomori earthquake
A rare phenomenon known as earthquake lights, created when seismic stress builds electric charge and ionizes the air pic.twitter.com/CZXFWvuzQV
— Potato (@MrLaalpotato) December 9, 2025
These actions come as part of Washington’s intensified campaign against drug trafficking networks allegedly operating out of Venezuela. According to U.S. officials, the objective is to prevent Venezuelan vessels from reaching American shores and contributing to drug addiction among U.S. citizens.
The U.S. military has reportedly implemented a naval blockade around Venezuela. American forces have begun closely monitoring Venezuelan ships at sea. Recently, the U.S. Navy seized a Venezuelan oil tanker, prompting swift action from the Treasury Department.
Following the seizure, the U.S. imposed sanctions on:
Efraín Antonio Campo Flores
Franqui Francisco Flores de Freitas
Carlos Erik Malpica Flores
Two of them—Campo Flores and Flores de Freitas—were convicted in the United States in 2016 on drug-trafficking charges. Although they were released in 2022 under President Joe Biden’s administration, U.S. officials claim they continued narcotics operations.
The third nephew, Carlos Erik Malpica Flores, is a former executive at Venezuela’s state-run oil company PDVSA and once served as national treasurer. He is already barred from entering the U.S. due to his links with Maduro.
The United States has also sanctioned six Venezuelan-linked shipping companies tied to Panama-based businessman Ramon Carretero Napolitano, who is accused of conducting petroleum shipments and maintaining business relations with the Maduro–Flores family.
The sanctioned companies include:
Myra Marine Ltd.
Arctic Voyager Inc.
Powerow Investment Ltd.
Ready Great Ltd.
Sino Marine Services Ltd.
Full Happy Ltd.
Six vessels belonging to these companies have also been blacklisted:
White Crane
Kiara M
H. Constance
Latafa
Tamia
Monica
These ships are accused of illegally transporting and selling Venezuelan oil to Asian markets. Under U.S. sanctions, these vessels are now prohibited from navigating internationally.
